BLITAR – The debate over possible MBG zakat funding has drawn public attention, but officials in Blitar say no formal directive allows the use of Islamic charitable funds for the program.
The Blitar branch of Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) confirmed it has not received any regulation or technical guidance permitting zakat funds to finance the MBG initiative. The discussion surfaced only in recent days and remains speculative.
“We have never received any circular stating that MBG would be funded through zakat,” said Mukhroji, head of Islamic Community Guidance (Bimas Islam) at the Blitar Religious Affairs Office. “The National Zakat Agency (Baznas) manages zakat collected through the government.”
Mukhroji stressed that Baznas holds full authority over zakat, infaq, and almsgiving (ZIS) funds. The agency collects, manages, and distributes the funds. It also conducts outreach and religious education on zakat practices.
He made clear that local offices do not control zakat allocation. Instead, national regulations and religious rulings guide every decision.
Islamic law strictly regulates zakat distribution. The Quran limits allocation to eight categories of eligible recipients, known as asnaf.
Mukhroji said scholars must carefully examine whether the MBG program fits into any of those categories. “The allocation of zakat is clearly defined for eight asnaf. We need thorough scholarly discussion before linking MBG to those groups,” he said.
He added that current regulations do not authorize the use of zakat funds for the program. However, infaq and voluntary almsgiving provide more flexibility in their distribution.
Mukhroji emphasized that any policy shift would require a comprehensive national review. Authorities must consult Islamic scholars and institutions, including the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), before making a decision.
“This is not just a district-level issue but a national one,” he said. “If the government issues a circular in the future, it must align with Islamic principles. For now, we are waiting for official guidance from the central government.”